In August, college football teams across the country took the practice field in the summer heat with a single purpose: To play for the national championship in the Arizona desert.

Five months later, No. 1 Clemson and No. 2 Alabama are on their way to University of Phoenix Stadium. Geographically, the two schools are separated by only 326 miles, yet in terms of college football tradition, they are not on the same continent.

Alabama claims 15 national championships, three under current coach Nick Saban. Clemson has won just one, a perfect season in 1981 when the Tigers beat Nebraska in the Orange Bowl to cap a 12-0 season.

This game will present fascinating strategy – Alabama's punishing defense against Clemson's explosive offense. It will feature star power in Alabama running back Derrick Henry, the Heisman Trophy winner, and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, a Heisman finalist.

But more than anything else, it will showcase two coaches, one (Saban) at the top of the mountain, while another (Dabo Swinney) continues his climb. Despite common southern roots, they could not be more different.

Saban, gunning for his fifth national title, you should know. In his ninth season at Alabama, he's one of the most popular figures in sports. Bill Belichick without the hoodie. Shortly after Saban's hire in 2007, southern author Rick Bragg – winner of the Pulitzer Prize – wrote that the coach has a way of looking intense even when he's not mad "and probably looks that way holding a kitten."

Here's all you need to know: When the Crimson Tide thumped Michigan State in Thursday's national semifinal, Saban, 64, made news not because he smiled, but because he (gasp!) danced amid the postgame celebration. Granted, all Saban did was bob his head and move his arms, but for a man who appears allergic to emotion, this brief, spontaneous outburst was one of the great upsets of 2015.

Swinney, 46, also dances.

No, he really dances.

Type "Dabo Swinney" and "dancing" into YouTube and several videos will pop up. Here's Swinney dancing in the locker room after Clemson's win over Florida State. Here's Swinney dancing after the Tigers beat Louisville. All coaches at this level are CEOs of their programs, at times stiff and robotic, but Swinney reminds everyone that despite all of college football's issues (and there are many), this is supposed to be fun.

From his on-field interview after Clemson beat Notre Dame on a wet night in October, a key step in its championship journey: "It ain't always perfect. I told them, 'Listen, we give you scholarships, we give you stipends and meals, we give you nice uniforms and a place to live. I can't give you guts. I can't give you heart.' … Tonight, it was BYOG, bring your own guts."

A story line you will tire of hearing: Swinney is an Alabama graduate. A former walk-on receiver who ultimately earned a scholarship and helped the Crimson Tide win the 1992 national championship under coach Gene Stallings. After his playing career, Swinney coached at Alabama, first as a graduate assistant, then as a receiver and tight ends coach.

To meet the Tide at this moment on this stage has to mean something, even if he won't admit it to the scribes and cameras that will flock to Glendale. The fact that Clemson has a chance to become the first FBS team to finish 15-0 makes this all the more sweet.

To get here, Alabama (13-1) has won 11 in a row, beating 10 opponents by more than 10 points. The Tide won with defense and with Henry, who broke school and Southeastern Conference rushing records in winning the program's second Heisman Trophy.

Neither team has great Arizona ties. Clemson never has played here. The school's strongest athletic tie to the desert might be the man who coaches in Tucson. Arizona's Rich Rodriguez worked as Clemson's offensive coordinator from 1999-2000. It was his last job before he became the head coach at West Virginia, which also came to the Valley for Saturday's Cactus Bowl against Arizona State.

Indeed, Rodriguez's worlds are colliding.

Alabama played Louisville in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl, a game perhaps remembered best for the controversy surrounding it. With Arizona voters rejecting a state holiday in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a local civil rights group staged a protest before the contest and both teams altered their uniforms out of respect. Alabama players wore black armbands with "MLK" on them.

This will be college football's third title game held in Glendale. Florida won the first in 2007, and Auburn won in 2011. This one is expected to be close. There will be a legendary coach. There will be a team chasing history.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) dives toward the end zone against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Michael Thomas (3) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) fumbles the ball as he is pressured by Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) in the first quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Matt Dimon (94) and defensive end Charles Tapper (91) embrace in the fourth quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal against the Clemson Tigers at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson Tigers linebacker Ben Boulware (10) reacts after a Tiger interception against the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M Aggies receiver Josh Reynolds (11) is knocked out of bounds by Louisville Cardinals cornerback Trumaine Washington (15) and safety Chucky Williams (22) after a reception during the first half in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is tackled after a short gain during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) celebrates with wide receiver Fred Ross (8) after a touchdown during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Nyheim Hines (7) gets tackled by the Mississippi State Bulldogs defense in the first quarter in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports

Colorado State Rams running back Izzy Matthews (35) runs the ball as he is tackled by Nevada Wolf Pack defensive back Elijah Moody (18) and defensive back Dameon Baber (23) during the second quarter of the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Casey Sapio, USA TODAY Sports

California Golden Bears running back Vic Enwere (23) runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Air Force Falcons in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

Connecticut Huskies tight end Steve Hashemi (97) reacts and celebrates as they made a field goal that bounced in against the Marshall Thundering Herd during the second half at Tropicana Field. Marshall Thundering Herd defeated the Connecticut Huskies 16-10. Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

New Mexico Lobos cornerback Nias Martin (19) and defensive lineman Nik D'Avanzo (91) celebrate a fumble recovery during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports

Alcorn State Braves quarterback Lenorris Footman (17) is tackled by North Carolina A&T Aggies defensive back Tard McCoy (5) in the first quarter of the 2015 Celebration Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports